Atlantic Cup aiming for carbon neutral status

Apr 23, 2012

by Tim Queeney

Green Mountain Energy Company will certify the carbon footprint of the 2012 Atlantic Cup Race

Atlantic Cup

According to race organizers, the 2012 Atlantic Cup will be run as the first carbon neutral sailing race. The race will be comprised of three legs, Charleston, S.C. (May 11) to New York Harbor (May 14-19) to Newport, R.I. (May 26-27). The race will have an international fleet of Class 40s, with racers from France, England, Germany and the U.S.

Race organizers say the race's carbon footprint will be calculated prior to the race start by Green Mountain Energy Company, the nation’s longest serving green power retailer. Based on these calculations and a post-race assessment, carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates (RECs) will be retired in order to offset emissions associated with the event, such as staff air travel, ground and water transportation, staff hotel stays, and event electricity usage.